Fans call for demo at crisis club Bray

A GROUP of Bray Wanderers supporters have called called on fans to attend a protest before their league game next weekend as the Wicklow club lumbers from crisis to crisis.

On the field things are looking good for Wanderers, the side enjoying a 1-0 win away to bottom side Limerick on Saturday. Off the field, it's been a disastrous period for the club as player David Cassidy, for the second time this season, had to take charge of the team for that game against Limerick, following the resignation of Trevor Croly 24 hours earlier, the fourth managerial change (including caretakers) this season, Alan Mathews having decided to quit the club just weeks into the new season.

Immediately after Saturday's win in Limerick, the Bray players issued a statement through the PFAI outlining their grievances. "We are extremely disappointed that a number of payments, including some players wages, have not been made on time in recent weeks and months," read the statement.

"This has caused hardship and distress to those affected and has a detrimental effect on team morale."

Within hours, Bray responded with a statement from chairman Denis O'Connor. "There were problems with three players payments this week which was due to a clerical issue which the club are investigating.

"These problems were sorted out within 24 hours of my becoming aware of them," he said, adding that the squad had been invited to a "clear the air" meeting with the board this week.

O'Connor also denied that a transfer embargo was in place. But some fans have already had enough and a group, led by two long-standing supporters, has asked supporters to gather at 5pm next Saturday, before their home game with Derry City, "to show the people running our club that we have had enough and want decisive action to right matters inside the club".